General Information
Time Zone: GMT-5h00
ISO Code: CA
Dialing Code: +1
Continent: North America
International Trade
Canada’s main export commodities include aluminium, automobiles, cereals, agricultural chemicals, crude oil, farm produce, fish, fuel, natural gas as well as lumber and sawmills products. Imports include in automobiles, chemical products, computer equipment, construction equipment, consumer goods and crude oil.
Terms of import vary according to the nature of the product involved and the standing of the Canadian importer. The majority of importer’s seek credit of up to 90 days for consumer goods according to the custom of the trade. The manufacturing activity is concentrated in Ontario and Quebec, including the entire vehicle production industry. Most imports into Canada are free from restrictions and the Canadian Customs Tariff regulations prohibit the import of certain goods and these include oleomargarine, reprints of Canadian copy righted work and some game birds. The customs tariff is based on the harmonised system.
The elimination of duties applies only to goods actually produced in Canada, the United States and Mexico; cross border trade of imported goods from outside either country are still subject to import duties, and a few protected items such as sugar, dairy products and textiles also face import duties. NAFTA preferential tariffs apply only to goods meeting the NAFTA rules of origin.
Many special products are subject to certification and inspection requirements.